The author is clearly a medical professional (maybe a little too much so - I had to skip over parts of the excruciatingly detailed autopsy). She has clearly done her research on Philadelphia in the 1800s, the history of women doctors in Philadelphia, the history of medicine in this time period, etc etc. The story tended to get bogged down with so much detail, much of which wasn't necessarily relevant to the story. I love reading historical fiction partly because I enjoy learning about history, but I prefer the teaching to both be more subtle and to not have quite so much of it told to me. So... many... descriptions about Philly neighborhoods and streets, institutions, historical figures in medicine. It's obvious the author did her research, and also obvious (IMO) that an editor might have chosen what to include a little more judiciously. I was super excited to be reading a book about a doctor in this time period who was both female and Indian (!), which is awesome... but while I certainly got a sense of the rampant sexism in the industry, I was disappointed that there was so little focus on the heroine's ethnic heritage, which I think would have added depth to the story.

As far as the police procedural/legal aspects of the mystery, I found the story to be underwhelming and unbelievable. Explain to me again why this doctor was given so much freedom and latitude in investigating this case? Why they gave her evidence to take home and peruse at her leisure? Why all the police officers so carefully Mirandized all their suspects many decades before Mirandizing was a requirement? Why the doctor was threatened repeatedly but the warnings were shrugged off/forgotten within the next couple paragraphs? And on and on, including some spoilers and plot holes. The heroine has some TSTL moments with very puzzling motivations and I was rolling my eyes and speed reading towards the end. I absolutely love historical mysteries and police procedurals but this one really missed the mark for me.

My thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a debut novel by Ritu Mukerji, and I hope that this is the first in a series! I absolutely love the female protagonist, Dr. Lydia Weston, and the two detectives she becomes partners to. Lydia reminds me of a Miss Marple or Jessica Fletcher type of detective; that being a person who intuits how to investigate a mystery, but that is not her original intention or career. The way in which this is written using such beautiful language and phrasing; I find it very unusual for the mystery genre.

Philadelphia, 1875: It is the start of term at Womans Medical College of Pennsylvania. Dr. Lydia Weston, professor and anatomist, is immersed in teaching her students in the lecture hall and hospital. These are times when women were seen to have jobs, and not careers, they are not to be trained in a profession, such as, medicine. However, Lydia's career as a doctor and teacher becomes integral in solving the mystery of the death of a young woman, who is a servant in a rich household.

As an aside, it is an interesting fact, that the Quakers were integral in the early establishment of women being able to study medicine in Philadelphia.

I enjoyed this book, definitely learned some new things, primarily pertaining to the existence of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania. Who knew?? Neither Women's Studies nor medicine being my areas of expertise, this Female Medical College was a revelation to me. I was able to engage with the protagonist, Dr. Weston, to a degree, but often felt the author could have let the reader "in" to her psyche a little more and share more of Lydia's inner-world to help the reader connection. I thought the plot was solid, but had some issue with the dialogue. It struck me as unnecessarily stilted at times, although that may have just been the author striving for authenticity to the time period and speech conventions. All in all, I found this a promising start to a potential new series.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters are interesting and relatable. The setting and time period vary interesting. I can't wait for the next one in the series! A great read for historical fiction fans!

Murder by Degrees is a fast-paced, suspenseful, historical mystery placed in post-Civil War Philadelphia. Dr. Lydia Weston, a young woman who worked her way from poverty to one of the most respected teachers and anatomists at the Woman's Medical College of Philadelphia. One of her patients, a young chambermaid called Anna Ward, has been found dead in the Schuykill River. Lydia is pulled into the investigation on the basis of her medical knowledge and her acquaintance with the young girl. Anna's diary was found with her things left on the river bank. It is a beautiful book, well beyond the means of a chambermaid, and full of cryptic passages of poetry from the books Lydia loaned her. Working with two members of the Philadelphia police force, Lydia uses her medical knowledge and her innate intelligence to get to the bottom of a mystery that unravels illicit relationships, horrific events and other consequences of a time fraught with class indiscretions and devastating secrets. The author, Ritu Mukerji, is a practicing internist whose medical is evident throughout the story. She's also an excellent story teller. I had difficulty putting down this book! Fans of Rhys Bowen and Jacqueline Winspear will love Murder by Degrees, as will anyone who enjoys a well=written historical mystery. This is Mukerji's first novel. I hope she continues writing - I would love to see more of Dr. Lydia, but I'd love to read anything by this author. Many thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read the ARC.

This is a 3.5-4 star book. It is a mix of a forward moving plot and a slowly plodding story line. Some may like the pace, but it should not be compared to Winspear’s books as it was in the marketing I read. Dr. Lydia Weston is a worthy protagonist.

Although I enjoyed the mystery and had me guessing on the outcome, I think it went into too much detail about things that were not necessary to the story. This may not be a problem for some but I did find myself skimming through some if the book. Overall it was a good read though. Give it a try. A lot of effort and research was done by the author.

A very engaging debut from author Ruth Mukerji. Chapter after chapter, I couldn’t put it down. Though primarily told from Dr. Lydia Weston’s POV, other characters voices are heard at different points, and it definitely adds to the depth of the storytelling. I just really enjoy the characters and the setting and the atmosphere, and I will definitely read more from this author in the future.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read this book. The author clearly did a lot of research into the time period and history of women in medicine, but for me, some of these details slowed down the book and interrupted the flow of the mystery. I also found the autopsy and other medical procedures descriptions unnecessarily graphic. I enjoyed the mystery itself- there were lots of twists and turns. The author also did a great job bringing the characters to life.

I really enjoyed this mystery novel by Ritu Mukerji. The story takes place in Philadelphia in 1875. Dr. Lydia Weston is a physician. There is a suicide (or was it) that takes place and Dr. Weston knows the victim. As she is involved with the case she works with the police, one of which does not approve of women getting involved. There are many twists and turns that will keep you guessing till the end. The parts of the book that involve patients that do not want a lady doctor as well as problems gaining acceptance in her field are very interesting. I also enjoyed the descriptive accounts of Philadelphia. I really hope this novel is the first of many involving Dr. Weston and the detectives Volcker and Davies.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read the ARC of this very entertaining murder mystery.

As a fan of Charles Todd, I really enjoyed this procedural mystery. I liked the main character - she is driven, yet has her vulnerabilities and a deep concern for other people. I think the author's background as a physician helped shape a realistic, relatable protagonist. The pacing could have been a bit tighter, but it picked up as it progressed and I would definitely read any additional installments in the series. It was exciting and engaging, and amidst the backdrop of murder and autopsies, the author also wove in a clear love for literature and the written word. I look forward to more.of her work.

Good historical horror. The build of the atmosphere was creepy and easy to understand. The main character was decent to guide through the story. Overall this a good cozy, mystery horror book for fall.

Mystery set in 1870s Philadelphia with a woman doctor, Lydia Weston, as the detective. An interesting plot about a murdered young woman, another woman who is missing, and assorted secrets of the past that may be the motive. Great descriptions of Lydia's life as a doctor and medical school professor at a time when it was an uncommon profession for a woman. The secondary characters are well drawn, especially some of her fellow doctors. The descriptions of the autopsy were quite graphic so it may be necessary to do some skimming, depending on the reader's level of squeamishness. All in all a very good debut novel, and I look forward to following Dr. Weston's adventures. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for a frank opinion.

I am very impressed with Ritu Mukerji's debut historical mystery, set in Philadelphia in 1875. Lydia Weston is a physician and professor at a time when women were often disrespected for pursuing what had always been a men-only career. Fortunately, she has role models at the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, and her female patients find her professional and empathetic.

But when one of her young patients is found lifeless in the nearby Schuylkill River, Dr. Weston rejects suicide as the cause of death. Finding the chambermaid's diary, she does her best to analyze the poetry quoted in its pages to discover who might have benefited from her death. Could it have been someone in the wealthy family for whom she works? It seems that both the chambermaid and some of her wealthy employer's family members, not to mention a few of her coworkers, have dangerous secrets, and Dr. Weston sometimes risks her own safety to bring her medical knowledge and interpersonal skills to a collaboration with the police.

A physician herself, the author brings authenticity to the medical portion of the story. Also, her vivid descriptions of some of the venues made it easy to envision them. As someone who spent many years living in Philadelphia and, particularly, in the suburb (Havertown) mentioned in the text, I fondly remember many of the locations. I'm hoping that this might be the beginning of a series.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji takes us to 19th century Philadelphia and introduces us to Dr Lydia Weston and a patient of hers that has gone missing. A good murder mystery! A great dialogue of a lady attending physician and professor in the late 1800s and perceptions. Dr. Weston was very methodical in her methods and a great teacher! It was fun traveling around Philadelphia since I know the city and the woman’s medical college. I hope there are more stories with Dr. Weston and the policemen Volker and Davies. I recommend this book. Thank you NetGallery and Simon and Schuster for letting me review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Dr. Lydia Weston, a rarity in the medical world in the 1850's - 1860's. A female in the world of medicine, much less in the surgical world, is a concept that many of her contemporaries struggle with, as it's a world dominated by men. But Dr. Weston is not an ordinary person, she struggled hard to overcome adversity and is now a professor, teaching her female students as well as performing her duties. A young patient of hers, Anna, of whom she's grown fond and is helping to educate, has gone missing and has been murdered, and Lydia is working closely with the police to find her killer. While helping them, they find she lived a life lived fully, as both a servant in a wealthy home and a volunteer at a Trust. But not everyone she works with is as they appear. This story is so well written, I feel I am walking beside Dr. Weston as she traces the life of Anna to a surprising conclusion.

I highly recommend this book and hope that we see more of Dr. Weston as well as Volcker and Davies, the policemen she assisted. The ARC was provided by the publisher and NetGalley, the opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

I was totally captivated by Murder by Degrees, by Rita Mukerji. Of course it was partially because as a retired anatomy & physiology teacher, I enjoyed the descriptions of the dissections the women at the medical school were making. The story takes place in Philadelphia in the late 19th century when women were not supposed to be doctors. Lydia defied those expectations and not only became a doctor, but taught women at a medical school just for women. But when a patient and friend was found drowned in a river, she began to help the police investigate. What follows is one of the best murder mysteries I've read in a while. With unexpected twists and turns, the reader will be surprised at the ending. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

"Murder by Degrees" by Ritu Mukerji is a captivating historical mystery set in Philadelphia in 1875. Dr. Lydia Weston, a dedicated professor and anatomist at the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, finds herself drawn into a gripping investigation when the supposed suicide of a young chambermaid named Anna Ward raises suspicions. As Lydia delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a world of secrets and cryptic poetry hidden within Anna's diary, leading her closer to the unsettling truth.

Mukerji skillfully portrays the atmosphere of the time, immersing readers in the historical setting with well-researched details and vivid descriptions. The blend of medical knowledge and forensic expertise adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, showcasing Lydia's talents as she employs her skills in the autopsy room and her sharp clinical acumen to unravel the mystery.

The character of Lydia Weston is a compelling and determined protagonist, who shines as a strong, intelligent woman navigating a male-dominated world of academia and crime investigation. The author successfully captures the challenges and limitations women faced in the 19th century, making Lydia's journey all the more inspiring and empowering.

The use of Anna's diary as a storytelling device adds depth and suspense to the plot, allowing readers to discover the hidden facets of the deceased character alongside Lydia. The gradual revelation of long-buried secrets builds anticipation and keeps the pages turning.

"Murder by Degrees" delivers a well-paced narrative with a skillfully constructed mystery that keeps readers guessing until the final pages. The tension steadily rises as Lydia races against time to solve the case and protect herself from those who want to keep her quiet.. The combination of historical accuracy, compelling characters, and a finely crafted plot makes this novel an engaging and rewarding read for fans of historical mysteries.

In conclusion, "Murder by Degrees" earns a five-star rating for its expertly woven historical backdrop, intriguing characters, and a gripping mystery that will leave readers enthralled from start to finish. Ritu Mukerji showcases her storytelling prowess with this captivating tale of secrets, suspense, and a tenacious female protagonist determined to seek the truth no matter the consequences.

This preview e-book was provided to me from the publisher for an unbiased opinion.

I was excited to receive a copy of the book Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji. I love reading stories about women who overcome obstacles to succeed in their chosen field(s), especially male-dominated fields. There are plenty of plot summaries available on the internet, so I won't rehash that here. I loved the historical setting, a young woman in the medical field in the 1870s. You get a taste of the medical practices at that time as well as what life was like for the wealthy and the less well-off and indigent. There were several plot twists that I did not see coming! These were fresh and new ideas for me. My one criticism is that the description of the autopsy of the victim was much too technical and graphic for my taste. I almost put the book down at that point, but I was glad I continued with the novel.

I hope this is the first book in new series. I would love to read more about Dr. Lydia Weston.

"Murder by Degrees" is a gripping mystery with compelling women characters and interesting side characters. I especially loved the setting being in Philadelphia. At times it was hard for me to keep track of all of the characters and their motivations, but I think the ending ties everything together quite nicely. If you are a fan of the show Bones you will like this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this e-arc!
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